Do Internet banks offer a free gift to switch my current account?

Last Edit: 22/10/18

Historically its been more common for banks to offer a gift when opening
a new account -- typically student accounts with gifts like railcards and
amazon vouchers -- but it seems logical that some banks would offer a free
gift when switching. Such promotions tend to short in duration, and currently
only a handful of banks currently offer such a deal:

First Direct currently offer a free gift for switching a current account
online. The free gifts are as follows:

Bose Soundsport headphones:
With no wires in the way and ear buds that stay secure and comfortable.

While the offer looks attractive, potential customers should read the fineprint,
to quality for the free gift a customer must: "pay in at least £1,000
within three months of opening the account". The offer is also only available
to customers who have not previously held an account with First Direct.

HSBC, Barclays, M&S bank, and Natwest all have cashback gifts
- when switching to one of their current accounts -- when certain criteria
is met: one of which is a minimum monthly pay in of over £1000.

When a bank provides an offer -- such as those listed above -- it is essential
to double check the fineprint. Alongside criteria that has to be met, there
may also been a fee if the criteria is not met, which may render the free
gift pointless.

How easy is it to switch current accounts? easier than it was due to the
Current Account Switch Service (CASS). The CASS
homepage claims that over 4 million account have been switched since the scheme
was introduced, and that it covers 99% of UK current accounts. CASS only switches
current accounts, and does not apply to: Saving accounts
and ISAs. CASS is: free; allows customers to pick a date to move; moves all
payments; transfer the bank balance; refunds missed payments and fees due
to an error made during the switch.